PRINCESS ANNE, MD-(May 19, 2021)-Obesity is a growing problem in the United States and is one that affects some groups more than others. According to the Centers for Disease Control, 42% of adults in the nation fell within the range considered to be obese in a 2017-2018 study. Not only does obesity put people at risk for heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes and certain types of cancer, it is also a risk factor for experiencing negative outcomes from COVID-19.
Dr. Victoria Volkis, a professor of chemistry in University of Maryland Eastern Shore’s Department of Natural Sciences, will be collaborating with researchers at Virginia State University over the next three years in a study looking at the health benefits of ginger in combating obesity and other chronic diseases. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture has awarded VSU a $600,000 grant for the project for which Volkis has received a $124,000 subaward.
For her role in the research, Volkis will be “dealing with the phytochemical characterization of ginger grown under different conditions, as well as finding new applications for it besides traditional edibles.” The subaward will also support the work of a graduate student pursuing a master’s degree in chemistry in Volkis’ lab.
“Different cultural management and harvesting technologies will be investigated with high phytochemical content in mind. Resin extraction technology for antioxidants that was originally developed for aronia will now be applied for ginger research,” Volkis said. “The project will provide training for minority students in STEM, will help develop long-term collaborations with VSU scientists and will have a number of outreach activities for local farmers in Maryland and Virginia.”
The grant was awarded to Dr. Rafat Siddiqui, project director and scientist with VSU’s Agricultural Research Station in Petersburg, Virginia, to build on initial research with promising data showing that certain micronutrients and antioxidants in ginger, particularly young plants (baby ginger), have the potential to help fight diseases.
The study, she says, addresses two key NIFA priority areas identified in the 2018 Farm Bill, including human health and obesity relating to nutrition and human sciences, and expanding opportunities for small farmers and businesses in rural communities.
Gail Stephens, agricultural communications, University of Maryland Eastern Shore, School of Agricultural and Natural Sciences, gcstephens@umes.edu, 410-621-3850.
Photos by Todd Dudek, agricultural communications, University of Maryland Eastern Shore Extension, tdudek@umes.edu.
